In a company-wide communique on 20 January, the executive director informed the All India Cabin Crew Association (AICCA) that each cabin crew member would now be subjected to BMI and weight checks on a quarterly basis
Air India is gearing up for its Tata takeover and as a part of this makeover, the national carrier has issued new guidelines as per which, they will now check the body mass index (BMI) of the crew at the airports just before their flights.
The new rule has irked the crew members and caused a furor.
Please read: Air India likely to be handed over to Tata Group on 27 January, says senior official
We take a look at what’s happened and how the issue has snowballed into a controversy.
Air India’s new rules
On 20 January, Vasudha Chandana, Executive Director — In-flight Services, Air India, sent an order, which read: “Grooming associates have been assigned the task of recording observations on the BMI management/grooming/uniform turnout of cabin crew when they report for a flight or standby duty at CCMCO (Cabin Crew Movement Control Office).”
The order further added that these observations must be compiled and sent to her office.
Additionally, it would be the responsibility of the cabin supervisor of the flight to ensure that her/his set of the crew are well turned out and follow complete uniform regulations.
The order further said: “Cabin crew who are well-dressed and well-groomed according to uniform standards and regulations, present a positive and professional image of the airline.”
One must note that members of Air India’s cabin crew union have been undergoing BMI and weight checks from 2008 and 1998, respectively, as per the Civil Aviation Requirements (CAR) issued by the Directorate General of Civil Aviation (DGCA). But these checks are conducted only by medical professionals or doctors.
Furore…